Mouthpiece And Holding Device

ABSTRACT

A mouthpiece and holding device for use with a rolled smoking product includes a tube, which is partially flattened proximate to a first end thereof defining a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can be positioned between lips or teeth of a user so that the user can grip the tube. A split ring is engaged to the tube proximate to a second end thereof. The split ring is resiliently deformable and selectively expandable. Each of a pair of tabs is coupled to and extends transversely from a respective opposed end of the split ring. A user can engage and squeeze the tabs to expand the split ring, concurrent with tensioning of the split ring. A rolled smoking product can be inserted into the second end of the tube. The user the releases the tabs so that the split ring rebounds to engage the tube to the rolled tobacco product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to holding devices and more particularly pertains to a new holding device for use with a rolled smoking product.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to holding devices for rolled smoking products. Prior art holding devices may comprise tapered cylinders, compressible tubes, notched tubes, clamps, and spring-loaded sleeves.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a tube, which is partially flattened proximate to a first end thereof defining a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is configured to be positioned between lips or teeth of a user so that the user is positioned to grip the tube.

A split ring is engaged to the tube proximate to a second end thereof. The split ring is resiliently deformable so that the split ring is selectively expandable. Each of a pair of tabs is coupled to and extends transversely from a respective opposed end of the split ring. The tabs are configured to be engaged by digits of a hand of a user. The user is positioned to squeeze the tabs to expand the split ring, concurrent with tensioning of the split ring. The second end thus is configured for insertion of a rolled smoking product. The user is positioned to release the tabs so that the split ring is configured to rebound to engage the tube to the rolled tobacco product.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a mouthpiece and holding device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new holding device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the mouthpiece and holding device 10 generally comprises a tube 12, which is partially flattened proximate to a first end 14 thereof defining a mouthpiece 16. The mouthpiece 16 is configured to be positioned between lips or teeth of a user so that the user is positioned to grip the tube 12. A lip 18 is engaged to the first end 14 of the tube 12 and extends radially and outwardly therefrom. The lip 18 is configured to enhance gripping of the tube 12 between the lips or the teeth of the user.

The tube 12 comprises the mouthpiece 16, a terminal section 20, and a midsection 22, which extends therebetween. The mouthpiece 16 is circumferentially smaller than the midsection 22 so that the mouthpiece 16 and the midsection 22 are substantially width equivalent, as shown in FIG. 2. The terminal section 20 extends transversely from the midsection 22 so that the terminal section 20 is cone shaped, as shown in FIG. 4.

A split ring 24 is engaged to the tube 12 proximate to a second end 26 thereof. The split ring 24 is resiliently deformable so that the split ring 24 is selectively expandable. The split ring 24 has a slot 28 positioned therein. The slot 28 extends from proximate to a first terminus 30 to proximate to a midpoint 32 of the split ring 24, defining a first segment 34 of the split ring 24. A second segment 36 of the split ring 24 extends from proximate to the midpoint 32 to a second terminus 38 of the split ring 24. The second segment 36 is complementary to and positioned within the slot 28. The second segment 36 moves within the slot 28 as the split ring 24 expands and contracts.

Each of a pair of tabs 40 is coupled to and extends transversely from a respective opposed end 42 of the split ring 24. The tabs 40 are configured to be engaged by digits of a hand of a user. The user is positioned to squeeze the tabs 40 to expand the split ring 24, concurrent with tensioning of the split ring 24. The second end 26 thus is configured for insertion of a rolled smoking product. The user is positioned to release the tabs 40 so that the split ring 24 is configured to rebound to engage the tube 12 to the rolled tobacco product.

A plurality of teeth 44 is engaged to and extends inwardly from the split ring 24, as shown in FIG. 3. The teeth 44 are configured to engage the rolled tobacco product upon rebounding of the split ring 24 so that the rolled tobacco product is engaged to the tube 12.

In use, the tabs 40 are squeezed to expand the split ring 24, allowing the user to insert a rolled smoking product into the second end 26 of the tube 12. Upon release of the tabs 40, the split ring 24 rebounds and contracts to engage the rolled smoking product. The teeth 44 also engage the rolled smoking product to enhance engagement of the tube 12 to the rolled smoking product. The mouthpiece 16 is inserted between the lips or teeth 44 of the user, positioning the user to light and to smoke the rolled smoking product.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements. 

I claim:
 1. A mouthpiece and holding device comprising: a tube, the tube being partially flattened proximate to a first end thereof defining a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is configured for positioning between lips or teeth of a user, positioning the user for gripping the tube; a split ring engaged to the tube proximate to a second end thereof, the split ring being resiliently deformable such that the split ring is selectively expandable; and a pair of tabs, each tab being coupled to and extending transversely from a respective opposed end of the split ring, wherein the tabs are configured for engaging digits of a hand of a user, positioning the user for squeezing the tabs for expanding the split ring, concurrent with tensioning of the split ring, wherein the second end is configured for insertion of a rolled smoking product, positioning the user for releasing the tabs, wherein the split ring is configured for rebounding for engaging the tube to the rolled tobacco product.
 2. The mouthpiece and holding device of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises the mouthpiece, a terminal section, and a midsection extending therebetween, the mouthpiece being circumferentially smaller than the midsection, such that the mouthpiece and the midsection are substantially width equivalent.
 3. The mouthpiece and holding device of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises the mouthpiece, a terminal section, and a midsection extending therebetween, the terminal section extending transversely from the midsection such that the terminal section is cone shaped.
 4. The mouthpiece and holding device of claim 1, further including a lip engaged to the first end of the tube and extending radially and outwardly therefrom, wherein the lip is configured for enhancing gripping of the tube between the lips or the teeth of the user.
 5. The mouthpiece and holding device of claim 1, wherein the split ring has a slot positioned therein and extending from proximate to a first terminus to proximate to a midpoint thereof defining a first segment of the split ring, a second segment of the split ring extending from proximate to the midpoint to a second terminus of the split ring, the second segment being complementary to and positioned within the slot, such that the second segment moves within the slot as the split ring expands and contracts
 6. The mouthpiece and holding device of claim 1, further including a plurality of teeth engaged to and extending inwardly from the split ring, wherein the teeth are configured for engaging the rolled tobacco product upon rebounding of the split ring, such that the rolled tobacco product is engaged to the tube.
 7. A mouthpiece and holding device comprising: a tube, the tube being partially flattened proximate to a first end thereof defining a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is configured for positioning between lips or teeth of a user, positioning the user for gripping the tube, the tube comprising the mouthpiece, a terminal section, and a midsection extending therebetween, the mouthpiece being circumferentially smaller than the midsection, such that the mouthpiece and the midsection are substantially width equivalent, the terminal section extending transversely from the midsection such that the terminal section is cone shaped; a lip engaged to the first end of the tube and extending radially and outwardly therefrom, wherein the lip is configured for enhancing gripping of the tube between the lips or the teeth of the user; a split ring engaged to the tube proximate to a second end thereof, the split ring being resiliently deformable such that the split ring is selectively expandable, the split ring having a slot positioned therein and extending from proximate to a first terminus to proximate to a midpoint thereof defining a first segment of the split ring, a second segment of the split ring extending from proximate to the midpoint to a second terminus of the split ring, the second segment being complementary to and positioned within the slot, such that the second segment moves within the slot as the split ring expands and contracts; a pair of tabs, each tab being coupled to and extending transversely from a respective opposed end of the split ring, wherein the tabs are configured for engaging digits of a hand of a user, positioning the user for squeezing the tabs for expanding the split ring, concurrent with tensioning of the split ring, wherein the second end is configured for insertion of a rolled smoking product, positioning the user for releasing the tabs, wherein the split ring is configured for rebounding for engaging the tube to the rolled tobacco product; and a plurality of teeth engaged to and extending inwardly from the split ring, wherein the teeth are configured for engaging the rolled tobacco product upon rebounding of the split ring, such that the rolled tobacco product is engaged to the tube. 